Grossman, Kayyem lead Outer Cape straw poll winners

Outer Cape Democratic party activists, many of them delegates to the upcoming state Democratic Party convention, chose Steve Grossman and Juliette Kayyem as their favorite gubernatorial candidates in a straw poll taken at Saturday's Statewide Democratic Candidates' Brunch

EASTHAM—Outer Cape Democratic party activists, many of them delegates to the upcoming state Democratic Party convention, chose Steve Grossman and Juliette Kayyem as their favorite gubernatorial candidates in a straw poll taken at Saturday’s Statewide Democratic Candidates’ Brunch at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel.

The 73 voters participating in the poll also picked Mike Lake as their favorite candidate for lieutenant governor, with Steve Kerrigan finishing close behind. Warren Tolman won the poll for attorney general, and Deb Goldberg was top choice for state treasurer. Although straw polls hardly meet scientific survey standards, they can be popularity contests of some importance, especially when tallying the opinions of voters active in the political process.

The Candidates’ Brunch attracted 10 of the 14 party candidates vying for the contested major statewide offices party nominations. To make it to the November election ballot, they must first win a threshold level of support at the Democratic state convention June 13-14, then run in the party primary September 9.

Candidates who did appear in Eastham delivered short speeches to the more than 100 people in attendance, touching on key campaign themes and, to add local flavor, decrying conditions at the Pilgrim Nuclear plant. Sarah Peake, the Outer and Lower Cape’s state representative, moderated. The Outer Cape Democratic Coalition, sponsor of the event, represents the Democratic Town Committees of Eastham, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet.